Health Library

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism begin slowly over weeks or months. You may have hypothyroidism for a long time before you realize you are ill. Symptoms change with the degree of hypothyroidism and how long your body has not had the proper amount of thyroid hormone.

You may have only one of these symptoms, but usually patients have a combination. Some patients with hypothyroidism do not have symptoms or have mild symptoms that go unnoticed for a long period of time.

Symptoms include:

Enlarged thyroid gland, called goiter (not always present)

Fullness in the neck

Difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing (can happen if the goiter is very large)

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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